Adjustable casket bed



Feb. 21, 1956 D, HOTCHKISS ET AL 2,735,157

ADJUSTABLE CASKET BED Filed April 10, 1953 TORS x w 7 N A mmwe n mw m N T R 0 0 5 T P T NM 4 man 00F Y B 2 3 4 2 1 w I 4 B I 2 L 9 v I 2 United States Patent ADJUSTABLE CASKET BED Dean Hotchkiss, Cecil V. Deckwa, and Fay Pettigrew, Sacramento, Calif.

Application April 10, 1953, Serial No. 347,882

2 Claims. (Cl. 27-12) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in adjustable casket beds. More particularly, the invention relates to means for adjusting the elevation of portions of a bed disposed within a casket.

In accordance with this invention, there is provided a two-section bed, the two sections being hinged together. One section comprises a head-rest or pillow and the other section a support for the abdomen and legs. Each section is formed with a marginal frazne to which is tacked webbing to support upholstery material or a mattress.

The two sections of the bed are supported from chains received in brackets attached to the sides of the casket. The length of chain depending from each bracket is adjustable, and thus the elevation of the casket bed may be adjusted by individual adjustment of the lentgh of each chain. Preferably six chains are employed, three on each side of the casket; one pair of chains adjusts the elevation and inclination of the head rest and two pairs of chains adjust the elevation of the body-support.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the elevation of the bed and head rest may be conveniently and rapidly adjusted as required. This adjustment may be accomplished in such manner as to raise or elevate the bed with respect to the top of the casket or the inclination of the head rest relative to the body support. It is also evident that each of the six points of suspension may receive special adjustment to compensate for unusual conditions of the burial.

Thus the present invention eliminates the necessity of employing special padding and pillows which are now generally used to adjust the position of the body within the casket. The invention also removes the materials of which such padding and pillows are made from the interior of the casket, the presence of such materials sometimes being considered undesirable from a standpoint of sentiment.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from reading the following detailed description of the invention, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view through a casket and bed installed therein Fig.2 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the bed and support means;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a bracket used to suspend the chains to which the bed is attached.

The instant invention is installed in a conventional casket 10, having bottom 11, sides 12, and ends 13. A bed 14 is suspended in the casket, the bed being preferably divided into a head-rest or pillow portion 16 extending approximately one-third the length of the casket and a body-support 17 extending the remaining two-thirds. The head rest 16 is formed with a rectangular marginal wooden frame 18 and the body-support is likewise formed with a rectangular marginal wooden frame 19, the two chains 31 are fixed to each end of rod 2,735,157 Patented Feb. 21, 1956 frames being joined with a hinge 21 at their abutting edges. Burlap webbing 22 or similar material is interlaced lengthwise and crosswise of each frame to support upholstery material or a mattress (not shown). It will be noted that the head-rest 16 may assume any desired angle with respect to the body-support 17.

In the head rest frame 18 a metal rod 26 extends across adjacent the top thereof and ball chains 27 are fixed toeach end of rod 26. In the body-support frame 19 there are located two metal rods 28 and 29, one adjacent hinge 21 and the other near the opposite end, these rods being slightly longer than the width of their respective frames so that they protrude at each end. Balltype 29 at the foot of frame 19. Pulleys 32 are fixed to each end of rod 28 at the upper end of frame 19. Chains 33 pass under pulleys 32 to support the same vertically.

Metal brackets 36 are fixed to the interior of the sides 12 of casket 10 near the top to fasten chains 27, 31 and 33. The construction of brackets 36 is such as to present an inwardly-extending projection 37, the top inner corner of which is slotted with slot 38 which has a width less than the diameter of the balls 40 of chains 31 and 33 but greater than that of the connecting links 39. Thus the downwardly extending length of each chain may be adjusted by passing the proper connecting link 39 through slot 38. Slot 38 is widened on the top surface of projections 37 as indicated by reference numeral 41 so that the remaining length 42 of the chains may be concealed inside bracket 36. In order to attach bracket 36 to the side of the casket, an apertured lower extension 43 is formed to fit against the side 12 and the upper end 44 is bent outward to fit over the top edge of side 12.

Chains 27 and 31 are suspended from their respective brackets 36 and directly connected to rods 26 and 29, respectively, the elevation of rods 26 and 29, and consequently of frames 18 and 19 through which they pass, being controlled by the length of chain suspended. Chains 33 may be differently suspended; thus one end 46 of each such chain 33 may be fastened to the side of the casket and the opposite end 47 received in bracket 36, the intermediate portion of the chain passing under pulley 32. This arrangement makes adjustment of the bed easier inasmuch as the weight of the body supported on the bed is concentrated at the middle.

The effective length of each of the chains may be adjusted independently by fitting the proper connecting link 39 through the slot 38 in bracket 36. In this manner the distance of body support 17 below the top edge of the casket may be adjusted, and likewise the angle of head-rest 16 with respect to body-support 17. If it is desired to elevate or depress any of the corners of the bed, this adjustment may also be made by adjusting the length of the proper chain. All these adjustments may be accomplished rapidly and easily.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for pur poses of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of .the appended claims.

of the side of said casket, at least two chains supporting I said, head rest frame from corresponding brackets, and at least four additional chains supporting said bodysupport frame from corresponding brackets, each said chain having a plurality of enlarged links and a plurality of connecting narrower links, each said bracket being formed to' receive the narrower links of said chain in a plurality of positions of adjustment of the length of said chain between said bracket and said bed, each said bracket being slotted downwardly from the upper inner corner of said inwardly-extending projection.

2. In combination, a casket bed having a body-support rectangular frame, webbing mounted on said bodysupport frame, a head rest frame, second webbing mounted on said head rest frame, at least six brackets, each said bracket having an inwardly-extending projection, a 15 downwardly extending leg adapted to fit against the side of the casket in which it is installed and an outwardly projecting top adapted to fit over the top edge of the side of said casket, at least two chains supporting said head rest frame from corresponding brackets, and at least four additional chains supporting said body-support frame from corresponding brackets, each said chain having a plurality of enlarged links and a plurality of connecting narrower links, each said bracket being formed to receive the narrower links of said chain in a plurality of positions of adjustment of the length of said chain between said bracket and said bed.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 240,148 Kittell Apr. 12, 1881 319,283 Marsh June 2, 1885 1,018,853 Tucker Feb. 27, 1912 2,238,774 Hopkes Apr. 15, 1941 

